I really enjoyed my time here-- I've worked in the same lab for several summers and I feel that I consistently learn a lot, have great coworkers, and get experience that will be valuable in the future (and get paid pretty well too!)
What I wish was different
Advice
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Biology Research Intern
June - September 2021 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
The lab environment was good. Also, the access to machines was very helpful
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Intern
June - August 2021 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I loved the research in the labs, academic environment, conversations with the faculty and peers.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more than 2 months to work on my project. 2 months is very little time for research.
Advice
Be organized, dedicated and openminded!
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Undergraduate Researcher
June - September 2021 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
This internship opened several other opportunities for me. More than anything, I made the best connections with world-class faculty at MIT. We had "Faculty-Grad Chats" every week during the internship where each intern talked one-to-one with one of the MIT professors and discussed their research interests.
What I wish was different
To be frank, I do not think I would wish there had been anything different.
Advice
Make connections and keep asking questions!
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Remote Sensing Teaching Assistant
July - August 2020 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I helped teach passionate students about impact-heavy applications of computer science. During the program, I helped students use data analysis, machine learning, and other computer science and math skills to create natural disaster response and relief efforts. This is a meaningful field and the experience was very valuable.
What I wish was different
I wish it weren't essentially an 8-hour zoom call (with a lunch break) each day. Hopefully this won't have to be the case when it's in person, but it was a big adjustment given that the quarantine had started only a few months before.
Advice
Even if you're a teaching assistant and not a student, there is so much to learn from the guest speakers during the course, since they have lots of diverse experience from being first responders to working with LiDAR data. Try to learn what you can regardless of what position you have during the summer program and you'll get a lot out of it.
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Summer Crew
July - August 2020 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I liked the location, I had never worked in Cambridge before. I really enjoyed working on a college campus and getting to explore MIT!
What I wish was different
I liked that it was only 4 hours a day but I wish there was an opportunity to pick up extra shifts.
Advice
Be prepared to work with all kinds of people. Talk a lot and form friendships. Download audibooks to listen to while you work.
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Assistant Researcher
June - August 2020 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I enjoyed how hands on my experience was, and how the Professor I worked with gave me room to learn while additionally allowing me to help on his research project.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have had a more structured work schedule. Ideally, I would have also liked to be compensated for my work, but I was more than happy to do it unpaid.
Advice
Go above and beyond when helping with independent research; the person you are working for will never complain when receiving too much information, as long as all of the required work is done.
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Development and Events Assistant
February 2019 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
The work culture and benefits are amazing
What I wish was different
The office is incredibly busy and can be stressful for those who don’t do well under pressure
Advice
Always double check everything. You cannot do everything yourself, but if you want something done right you will always double and triple check other people’s work.
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Risk Management Intern
June - August 2019 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Sandy was amazingly helpful with everything. She taught me a lot of new things and exposed to me to a lot of new areas. She gave me the opportunity to do projects I liked and let me have control of how I wanted to do it. She connected me with a lot of proffesionals in the industry.
What I wish was different
The internship had been longer than 10- weeks
Advice
Learn to manage your money well. Never say no to a project
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Research Intern
May - September 2019 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Amazing research experience for grad school
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
WPI has very limited opportunies. Expand your network and interests and try to do research at other schools. The professors are much better and the research is much more reputable.
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Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I loved how open the campus was and how easy it was to talk with graduate students about their work!
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research intern
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
The MIT Summer Reasearch Program (MSRP) was the premiere Summer REU program in the country. Not only did we do world class and meaningful research, but we get paid, housing, travel stipend, and grad school prep to name a few extra perks!
What I wish was different
I wish it was longer!
Advice
Be prepared to “drink water from a firehose”. It is intense, it is rigorous, but it is so worth it. Don’t overlook this opportunity
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Oncology Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Very good experience to work in an academic/research setting, learned a lot about how to code in Python and machine learning, collaboration with Mass General Hospital, experience with cancer research
What I wish was different
Some of the coding seemed over my head at times (it is not my speciality since I am a Chemistry student), since I was working with graduate and post-graduate students as well as professors, but I got plenty of support from the professors and learned a lot.
Advice
Go in with the goal of learning and you will learn a lot, and help with the professors’ research is rewarding.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Loved the supportive learning experience, ability to live in close proximity to Boston, and the ability to attend lectures available to the graduate students.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more time to work there, or to have been paid more.
Advice
I would reccommend doing a summer research project to anyone. The key is to find a project that you would lvoe to wokr on, and really supportive project managers. They are the ones who made it a whole learning experience for me.
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Research assistant
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Everything about this job was ideal for me
What I wish was different
It could have been easier but honestly the workload was fun
Advice
If you can seek it out. Do so.
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Game Artist
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
The work environment was a highlight for me because it brought everyone in the workplace closer together since we had our own open office space. I also enjoyed how my position was tailored so well to my interests in game design since I had the chance to make models and animations for the game.
What I wish was different
If the start time to the internship was earlier, that would have been more ideal since I would be able to work a longer while on the project. Also, more public demos and playtests would have been great because, as designers of the game, seeing how people interact and play our game is one of the most rewarding experiences on the job.
Advice
Definitely get to know your coworkers and supervisors a lot more because they make the job experience so much more interesting and exciting.
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UROP
May 2017 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I liked being pushed to gain independence in research. I also liked being able to practice presenting my research, and going to many different talks.
What I wish was different
I was given housing as an Amgen Scholar at MIT, but the housing was gross. They didn’t provide us with AC, and the heat was broken so it was warmer inside the building than outside in Boston!
Advice
There is a balance between asking for help and gaining autonomy in your research. I would advise a novice researcher to think, “can I answer this myself?” And come up with something, and then go to your supervisor with a solution. The solution may not be right, but it shows initiative. I also stress that it is important to remain calm through failures. There will be many, but keep at it and talk to other undergrads (even your friends who are in science but not in the lab!) who are likely going through the same thing.
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Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Exposure to graduate level research and opportunity to network with faculty members
What I wish was different
I wish the length of the program could have been extended
Advice
Apply early and make the best of the experience if you get a chance to go!
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MIT Summer Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I really enjoyed meeting the rest of the students in my cohort and learning from some of the most well regarded economists in the world.
What I wish was different
I wish I had taken more opportunities to meet respected academics!
Advice
Spend everyday like it's your last!
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Research Assistant
June - August 2017 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
The program had weekly events with prominent speakers who advised us on everything from grad school applications to building careers. The focus was on our research, and the school regularly checked in on us (weekly) to ensure that we were doing well. They also made efforts to create a sense of community, and our research cohort felt very much at home. The research labs were top-tier, and the working environment was very fulfilling. They also provided free housing, travel reimbursements, regular events with food, a Charles River Boat Ride, and a fancy closing luncheon.
What I wish was different
Some of the events in orientation were unnecessary (in my opinion).
Advice
MIT can seem very intimidating but most people are willing to help if you just ask!
